An applicant’s character and fitness to practice law must be established as a prerequisite for licensure to practice law in any state. As a result, applicants should take care to respond fully and accurately to each question on the law school application. Applicants should be aware that, in conducting character and fitness investigations, bar authorities will request copies of a candidate’s application for admission to law school to compare the information provided on the law school application with the information included in the bar licensure application. If discrepancies are found, bar authorities may conclude that such discrepancies demonstrate a lack of honesty, trustworthiness, diligence, or reliability so as to call into question the applicant’s fitness for admission to the Bar.
If the answer to any of the questions regarding character and fitness is affirmative, a full written explanation must be provided. Such explanations should include dates, circumstances and outcomes surrounding the incident(s). Additionally, applicants must supplement their law school application whenever necessary to ensure that the answers are current and accurate. Additionally, if the answer to the question regarding prior matriculation is affirmative, a full written explanation must be provided, together with an official transcript and an official letter of standing to Ave Maria School of Law. Transcripts may be sent directly to LSAC or Ave Maria School of Law from the previous law school. A letter of standing may be sent directly to Ave Maria Law from the previous law school.
